Baltimore County's incoming 30-year-old school superintendent doesn't have three years of teaching experience, as required for superintendent candidates, but stakeholders are coming together to give S. Dallas Dance a chance.

All 11 members of the Baltimore County School Board voted in favor Tuesday night to approve Dance as its next superintendent. County officials and teachers' union members put aside their concerns about Dance's youth and lack of teaching experience. They also waived a requirement that mandates three years of teaching experience to be considered for the top post, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Lowell Melser said.

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"There are some special individuals where the timeline that fits everyone else doesn't fit them, said Abby Beytin, chairwoman of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County's Government Relations Committee.

Still, Dance will have to do some teaching at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Baltimore County. Teachers said they looked forward to working together to make improvements.

"Sometimes, they're mature beyond their years or understand better, and Im hoping that's what we get with him," Beytin said. "It's in our best interest and his best interest for this to work for all of us, and that's exactly what we'll be working toward."

Dance, whose selection became public late last month, met at length Tuesday with Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who offered his own perspective, saying, "He is mature, certainly, and well beyond his years. I really have confidence that he's going to be a dynamic leader and we're lucky to get him."

Kamenetz said he was also reassured by the fact that two head-hunting firms chose Dance for the open superintendent positions in Baltimore and Howard counties.

"To me, he's a perfect fit," said Kamenetz.

Dance, who served as chief of middle schools for the Houston Independent School District and taught in Virginia, is replacing Joe Hairston, who announced his retirement in October.

Howard County selected Renee Foose to replace Sydney Cousin, who is also retiring. Foose most recently served as a former deputy school superintendent in Baltimore County.